SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO–Committed to bolstering youth mental health and wellness and shrinking New Mexico’s devastating suicide rates, local non-profit Communities In Schools of New Mexico (CISNM) is providing free school and community suicide prevention trainings across rural New Mexico.
Suicide remains a persistent public health crisis in New Mexico. According to the Centers for Disease Control, New Mexico ranks 4th in the nation for the highest rate of suicide. Suicide now represents the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 5-17. Recent data from New Mexico’s Department of Health shows that among high school students, 54.7% of girls and 30.7% of boys reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while 24.2% of girls and 13% of boys reported having seriously considered suicide.

Thanks to a NM Behavioral Health Services Division grant beginning in Spring 2024, CISNM staff piloted Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention trainings in rural- and indigenous-serving middle and high schools to increase collective awareness, knowledge, preparedness and confidence. Trainers worked in close partnership with schools and communities to ensure that the distinct needs of each community were honored and addressed. In 3 months, they traveled over 4,000 miles to successfully facilitate 40 trainings at 18 sites in 9 counties. A total of 1,949 school staff, youth and community members were trained in Catron, Guadalupe, Lea, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos counties.

The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was founded in Colorado in 1994 by the friends and family of a high school student who died by suicide. New Mexico resident Ane Romero first brought Yellow Ribbon trainings to New Mexico schools and communities beginning in 2003.

“It has always been our practice to listen deeply to community needs,” says CISNM’s Executive Director, Michelle Katz. “And so many of our New Mexico communities hold stories of suicide with deep heartache and confusion. Our hope is to provide an experience of community connection through learning and to support educators, students and community members in building skills that will help them reach those in need and prevent suicide.”

This year, BHSD has increased funding for CISNM to expand the reach of Yellow Ribbon middle and high school staff, student and community trainings between August 2024 and September 2025. The goal this year is to provide suicide prevention trainings in 50 rural communities across the state, particularly in counties not yet served.

According to Stanford Kemp, Substance Use Disorder Bureau Manager of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Division Health Care Authority, “We are very excited and energized about the partnership with CISNM. Their staff has been nationally trained in the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention curriculum and have already made an impact in some of our youth’s lives. We look forward to training many more school staff, students, and community stakeholders throughout New Mexico in how to intervene when a youth is struggling with mental health issues.”

Says Christina Griffith, CISNM Director of Policy and Special Projects who oversees this suicide prevention initiative, “It was an honor profound and moving to be invited into so many communities this past spring. The courage and resilience we witnessed was extraordinary and such a reminder of New Mexico’s tradition of compassion and strength. We welcome the opportunity to connect with any rural middle school, high school, tribal or community program about sharing Yellow Ribbon trainings on behalf of our youth.”
The mission of Communities in Schools of New Mexico is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. In addition to providing statewide suicide prevention trainings, CISNM presently partners with 14 high-poverty schools in Santa Fe and Bernalillo County to provide in-school, integrated wraparound support for students and families to address basic needs (food, clothing, and school supplies), social-emotional learning and mental health, family engagement, case management and academic support. (Be sure to visit http://www.cisnm.org for more information.)

To learn more about Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program and to schedule trainings in your school/community, please contact:
CONTACT:
Christina S. Griffith
Director of Policy and Special Projects
Communities In Schools of New Mexico
cgriffith@cisnm.org (505) 803-6573

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24 hours in English and Spanish.
You are not alone. No está solo.